Cambridge committee hears update on small‑business programs; owners press for easier access, cheaper events

The Cambridge City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing during which staff from the Community Development Department’s Economic Opportunity and Development Division reviewed post‑pandemic trends, grant activity and commercial‑district programs and business‑association leaders raised access and fee concerns.

Pardis Cifani of the Economic Opportunity and Development Division told the committee the city distributed “a little over $9,000,000 in CARES, CDBG, and ARPA funding to small business owners and business associations” between March 2020 and 2024 across 11 grant rounds, and that more than 900 businesses received emergency assistance covering rent, payroll, e‑commerce needs, outdoor dining and similar operational costs. She said the division is shifting toward technical assistance, financial support and advocacy to help businesses become more resilient.

The presentation detailed specific programs and typical award levels: the storefront improvement program (now eligible up to $50,000; accessibility improvements reimbursed at 90% up to $25,000 and other exterior improvements at 50% up to $25,000), the small business enhancement grant (home‑based up to $2,000; brick‑and‑mortar up to $8,000), a retail interior accessibility program (90% reimbursement up to $25,000) and an ecommerce grant up to $4,000. Staff also described district activation programs, including Boosting Business Blocks, a pilot “Cambridge Nights” nightlife grant (six $5,000 events in June 2025) and Cambridge Blaze activation grants that supported multiple free neighborhood events.

Business association leaders and individual owners who called in asked staff to address barriers that limit access for microbusinesses and sole proprietors. Andrea Taylor Dunkley, a local consultant and small‑business owner, said she applied for pandemic relief when COVID began but did not receive her first city funding until 2022 and urged the city to tailor programs to sole proprietors and microbusinesses that lack formal tax returns or the capacity to front expenses.

"Oftentimes grant applications are overlooked in favor of businesses that have already received grant funding," Taylor Dunkley said, adding that short application windows and reimbursement requirements can exclude those without working capital.

Denise Jolson of the Harvard Square business community and other association leaders emphasized event costs—police and fire detail, stage and generator needs and DPW staffing—that associations often absorb to bring foot traffic into commercial districts. Nicole Williams, director of the Cambridge Somerville Black Business Network, urged consideration of waiving hawker/peddler fees for craft vendors and asked what the city will do to help capture potential visitors from the Greater Boston FIFA/World Cup activity next summer.

Staff acknowledged the concerns. Cifani said three of the division’s grants are federally funded and subject to HUD eligibility rules, which can limit flexibility; she also noted staff will review the policy order on event costs and look into hawker/peddler licensing changes. Matt Nelson of the City Manager’s Office said the city has recently waived several DPW and transportation fees and asked to compile a clearer accounting of total event costs and contributions from associations before deciding on additional waivers.

Committee members pressed staff on restoring legal assistance for small businesses, offering ServSafe training accompanying the food incubator class, the ebike delivery grant program (up to $5,000), and reducing permitting bottlenecks. On reimbursements, staff said grants are generally reimbursement‑based but that the city has made program changes to reduce barriers: an eligible purchase made within the prior six months can be reimbursed when a contract is executed, and standard turnaround for reimbursement where paperwork is complete is roughly four to six weeks.

The committee took no formal policy votes on the programs at the hearing. Councilor Sadiki moved to adjourn at the end of the meeting; the roll‑call vote recorded three yes votes and the meeting was closed.

Staff said they will return to the associations with follow‑up on hawker/peddler licensing, event fee policy and possible steps to ease reimbursement timing for smaller operations.